David C. Isby

Starting in 1970, he became the first employee of Poultron Press, which became Simulations Publications Inc. (SPI), the publisher of conflict simulations and Strategy & Tactics, Moves and other magazines. For nine years he contributed to magazines and books published by SPI and functioned as copy editor of Strategy & Tactics and in other editorial staff positions. He participated in the design and development of many SPI products. He researched for simulations such as War in Europe, War in the Pacific, Campaign for North Africa, and many others. He designed a number of simulations including Soldiers (1972)(1914-15 tactical land combat), Air War (1977)(1950s-80s air combat), To The Green Fields Beyond (1978)( the Battle of Cambrai 1917) and Tannenberg (1978)(the 1914 East Prussia campaign). In addition to his work at SPI, he published D-ELIM, a wargaming "fanzine" and designed or contributed to games published by other publishers including Rand Game Associates, Avalon Hill and Enola Games. He received a Game Designer's Guild award for Air War in 1977 and Charles S. Roberts (now Origins) Awards in 1978 (for To the Green Fields Beyond) and, in 1979, as a member of the Hall of Fame. He practiced law in New York City (including defending Stephen A. Donaldson, "Donny the Punk"). His first book was Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army (London, 1981, Jane's). In Washington, first as a congressional staff member and, subsequently, as a consultant on national security issues, working for a number of firms with a range of governmental and private sector clients. He continued to write extensively on national security and military history topics, being author or editor of over 20 books and 350 essays and articles in publications including International Defense Review, USA Today, Washington Times, Jane's Defense Weekly, Strategic Review, Comparative Strategy, Jamestown Terrorism Monitor, and Jane's Intelligence Review. He has testified before both House and Senate committees as a independent expert. He has appeared extensively in the media including MacNeil-Lehrer, The McLaughlin Group, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox & Friends, Voice of America, Nightline and The New York Times. He has lectured at many staff colleges including National Defense University, US Army War College, US Army Command and General Staff College, Air Command & Staff College, US Marine Corps Command and General Staff College, Naval Postgraduate School, and other institutions. Since 1980, he has worked extensively on the Afghanistan issue, and has written several books and many articles on the subject. He has been a frequent visitor to the region and has also participated as a director of The Committee for a Free Afghanistan Inc., a non-governmental organization working on the Afghanistan issue. He was condemned by the (pre-glasnost) Soviet government for his writings and activities on Afghanistan.